Turning my 1980's/early 90's commons into classics!

Hi everyone....I see some familiar names/ID's, so I hope I don't bore anyone with something they have seen before. Just wanted to share my work with fellow collectors. I cut common junk era cards (and newer), and I use the pieces to create larger images of other cards. Most pieces measure in the 20"x 28", 22" x 28", 20"x 30" area, with some of the tobacco or Goudey pieces being significantly different due to the size of the original cards. I've made almost 100 of these over the last 8 years. I use anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 commons for each piece, so I'm doing my part in making the junk era not-so-junky, lol. Here are some of my most recent examples:

Fantastic pieces! Surprisingly enough, the one that jumped out at me was the 88 Fleer Biggio as well as the 53 Mantle. Do you do commission work for others that may want something like this for their favorite player?

@maddux69 said:
Fantastic pieces! Surprisingly enough, the one that jumped out at me was the 88 Fleer Biggio as well as the 53 Mantle. Do you do commission work for others that may want something like this for their favorite player?

Thanks everyone! I actually only own 3 of these at the moment (52 Mantle, 72 Ryan, 53 Jackie); the rest were either commissions or were sold. I started this as a fun little addition to collecting back in '09, but I made the switch from teaching elementary school to cutting cards as a career about 5 months ago (weird, right?) I really appreciate the kind words, and if anyone is interested in having one done, feel free to shoot me a DM. In the future, I hope to get some opinions from you all on certain pieces, especially with specifics in regards to stock, color, and printing issues with vintage cards. I like to make them look as authentic as possible. -Tim

@baz518 said:
Simply awesome, great work! Here's hoping you don't only do HOFers, I would love a Mark Grace one.

Any and every player. One of my clients ordered the Dan Dee Mantle, then ordered the Carl Furillo shortly after. I've worked a 1990 UD John Olerud, a couple of pieces for some minor league players, a couple for Coastal Carolina University, and even a piece of a local Little League umpire.

Thanks again for all of the feedback...it is always nice when the work is appreciated by collectors.

looks like a lot of Donruss was used for these. Do you have a commons preference when doing your work?

Thanks! I meant to asnswer this from an earlier poster, but yes...Donruss is used quite often. I enjoy working with the Donruss as much as any, I guess; the stock is so thin that my hands/wrists don't tire so quick. 1987 Topps, 1989 Topps, and 1992 Score are also heavily used. I only went with Upper Deck commons for the Griffey, and the 1992 Leaf Black Gold was a perfect fit for the T205 Joss.

looks like a lot of Donruss was used for these. Do you have a commons preference when doing your work?

Thanks! I meant to asnswer this from an earlier poster, but yes...Donruss is used quite often. I enjoy working with the Donruss as much as any, I guess; the stock is so thin that my hands/wrists don't tire so quick. 1987 Topps, 1989 Topps, and 1992 Score are also heavily used. I only went with Upper Deck commons for the Griffey, and the 1992 Leaf Black Gold was a perfect fit for the T205 Joss.

That's awesome! Im guessing fresh Topps Vending Cases are the way to go. Much cheaper and no packaging! LOL

Tim ... absolutely amazing pieces of art! Best of luck with your work. They are ALL amazing, but the '53 MICK and the Biggio could not get any better.

STAY HEALTHY!

Doug

It was tough having to sell almost my entire collection of ~1,700 PSA graded cards from the 1910s - 1970's and my ~250 - 300 Graded Packs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. But when your daughter AND your wife are diagnosed with Cancer, sometimes you don't have a choice. One day I'll get some of them back!

collecting RAW topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, i'll take it, i want to finish sets, i must have something you can use for trade.

looking for topps 71-72 hi's-69-62-53-54-55-56-57, i have these sets started

Thanks again, all! Prices generally start around $2800 and go from there (some are much, much more). The amount of background noise, player pose, image clarity, and border simplicity play into the cost. I also only work a piece once, so iconic hobby pieces have a premium attached. 25% down reserves the card/piece, and I have each original professionally framed and shipped at no extra charge. If anyone is interested in getting on the waitlist and reserving a piece, just shoot me private message or email ([email protected]) for a quote.

How difficult is it to make the faces? What sort of process do you use?

The faces are pretty tough - I usually wait until the end to complete them. I draw them out, then cut & glue. Nothing more, nothing less. I've done them live at a couple of events before (the '14 National, '14 Fall Toronto Expo, '15 NHL FanFair). The amount of times I have cut a piece, glued it down, ripped it off, and tried again is more than anyone can imagine, lol!

@timcarrollart said:
I use anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 commons for each piece, so I'm doing my part in making the junk era not-so-junky,

Surely you've worked through your own personal leftovers by now...so where do the commons you need come from? Do you have to buy them by the crate from dealers or something, or do you have some sort of donation program that keeps you well stocked??

I still have some cards from when I was a kid - my dad and I worked the card show circuit back in the early 90's. When I started cutting them a few years ago, friends gave would give me a 3500 ct box here, a 5K box there. When I moved to my current location 5 years ago, a gentlemen that once had a card shop called me up and told me he had some commons for me. I wasn't in any hurry because I figured it was a couple of boxes. He called me back and asked when I was coming, and also told me to arrive in my truck. He gave me almost 200K. I still have people I have met online send me cards from time to time, and occasionally I will even buy some if I need a particular set (like the 92 Leaf Gold, Topps Lineage, etc.) Through it all, I'm sitting on roughly 350 thousand cards at the moment.

Very outstanding art Tim. It's really perfect. Armed with an army of commons (you won't likely ever run out of source material), terrific old baseball cards to create in an oversized scale, and your innate talent and craftsmanship, the only thing that will stop you is if you choose to stop. I hope that never happens, I'd love to think of a commission myself!

@originalisbest said:
Very outstanding art Tim. It's really perfect. Armed with an army of commons (you won't likely ever run out of source material), terrific old baseball cards to create in an oversized scale, and your innate talent and craftsmanship, the only thing that will stop you is if you choose to stop. I hope that never happens, I'd love to think of a commission myself!

Thank you! I have had a wonderful time adding something unique to mancaves or office walls that compliment a collection (or centerpiece that is rarely taken from the safety deposit boxes). Absolutely, the amount of commons that I can cut my entire lifetime wouldn't put a dent in the amount available for destruction, and even the most basic of commons from certain sets (1954 Bowman, 1953 Topps, 1956 Topps come to mind) make for beautiful wall hangers. Let me know if I can work something for you! -Tim

@originalisbest said:
Very outstanding art Tim. It's really perfect. Armed with an army of commons (you won't likely ever run out of source material), terrific old baseball cards to create in an oversized scale, and your innate talent and craftsmanship, the only thing that will stop you is if you choose to stop. I hope that never happens, I'd love to think of a commission myself!

Thank you! I have had a wonderful time adding something unique to mancaves or office walls that compliment a collection (or centerpiece that is rarely taken from the safety deposit boxes). Absolutely, the amount of commons that I can cut my entire lifetime wouldn't put a dent in the amount available for destruction, and even the most basic of commons from certain sets (1954 Bowman, 1953 Topps, 1956 Topps come to mind) make for beautiful wall hangers. Let me know if I can work something for you! -Tim

I will, and all compliments very sincerely meant! I think you've really made a niche for yourself in the arena of sports art.

Yes very cool! I know a couple of people on this board who could be the likely person responsible for this great Ryan commission. Keep it up! As I have told you, one day would love to have you do a 1960 Yaz card for me...once I build up the funds for it!